Aerated minnow bucket



INVENTOR.

LUMPK m K. L. LUMPKIN AERATED MINNOW BUCKET Filed June 14, 1946 M 5 J v Q KENNETH L.

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ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 31, 1949 AERATED MINNOW BUCKET Kenneth L. Lumpkin, Gladwater, Tex., assignor of one-fourth to Clinton A. Lowe, Houston, Tex.

Application June 14, 1946, Serial No. 676,754

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to an aerated minnow bucket, or similar container or carrier for live bait.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved minnow bucket characterized by means for aerating the water to insure adequate air to the minnows or other live bait contained therein, adapted to be actuated by the battery of a motor vehicle such as an automobile or the like,

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device whereby the motor means may be readily removed therefrom, when desired, as when the destination of the fisherman is reached, and the bucket suitably suspended in the water.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device provided with means, whereby the damage to the bait from the aerating device is substantially precluded.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eiiicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of one form of device embodying features of the instant invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view, partially broken away, of the device shown in Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to Figure 1, the device of the instant invention comprises a fluid-tight outer receptacle Ill, open at its upper extremity, and provided with a peripheral flange H. Lugs 12 secured to opposite points of the sides of the device secure the ends of a bail l3.

An inner receptacle I4 is also provided, including a relatively large number of perforations IS, the perforations extending throughout substantially the entire area of the inner receptacle, but terminating a spaced distance above the bottom thereof, the bottom being imperforate.

The inner receptacle i4 is provided with a top l6, having an extending flange H, the diameter of which coincides with the diameter of the flange II, in such manner that when the interior receptacle I 4 is positioned within the receptacle Hi, the two flanges are in alignment, and may be secured in position, as by spring clips N3, of any desired type. The lid I6 of the receptacle It is provided with lugs 20, accommodating the extremities of a bail 2|.

The lid I6 is reinforced, as by an inclined flange 22, terminating in a reinforcing annulus 23 perforated, as at 24, to coincide with perforations 25 in the lid I6.

A centrally disposed aperture 26 is provided and adapted to be closed, as by a plate 21, secured in position, as by headed bolts 28, the cover 2'! including on opposite sides lugs 29 and 39, respectivcly, the lugs 30 being split, as at 3|, to permit relative rotative movement of the plate with respect to the aperture 26, and the lug 29 being apertured to accommodate the associated bolt 28. The cover member 2? has correspondingly a centrally positioned bore surrounded by an interiorly threaded annulus 32. The annulus is adapted to be engaged by the threaded end of a perforated tube 33, within which is mounted a shaft 34 provided with impellers 35, adapted for the agitation of water within the container. The shaft 34 extends into a motor housing 36, suitably secured to the plate 21. The housing 36 contains an electric motor of any desired type, and is supplied with current through a cable 38 having wires, and provided with spring clamps 39 of conventional type adapted for attachment to battery terminals in a motor vehicle, or the like.

A supplemental lid 40 is also provided, and includes lugs 4| and 42 similar in configuration to the lugs 29 and 30, respectively, but is imperiorate and is adapted to be utilized when the plate 27 and its associated motor and impeller are removed, The lid 40 is provided with an eye 43 to which is secured one end of a chain 44', the opposite end of which is engaged by an eye 45 mounted on the cover l6.

From the foregoing, the method of use of the device should now be readily understandable. The outer container H] is first filled with water, and the inner receptacle [4 positioned therein, live bait being introduced into the inner receptacle by insertion through aperture 26, while plate 27 and its associated motor housing 36 are temporarily removed. The receptacle may now be lifted into a car, being carried by the bail i3, after which the plate 2'! is placed in position, closing the aperture 26, and secured in related assembly therewith, as by means of the screws 28. Thereafter, terminals 39 are suitably connected to the battery terminals of the vehicle, whereupon the motor in the housing 36 through rotation of the impellers 35 will agitate and aerate the Water in the container, assuring continued aeration thereof, and consequently, reduce mortality among the minnows or similar bait occasioned by lack of air.

When the fishermans destination is reached, the terminals 39' may be disconnected, the plate 21 and its' associated motor and impeller removed from the aperture 26, which may then be closed by the plate 40, the clamps I8 removed; whereupon the inner receptacle l t-maybe removed from the outer receptacle l0, and positioned in running water, as by securing-the same over the side of the boat, or a wharf, or the'like.

Obviously, removal of the coverplate- 40 permits access to the inner receptacle I4, as desired, for the removal of the bait therefrom.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there wherein-provided a device which accomplishes ceptacle with a fiat bottom, a perforate bounding Wall and a perforate top having a central opening; the features which include a flange onthe outer receptacle' about the open top, a correspending flange of substantially equal diameter therewith integral with the top of the inner receptacle, spring clips serving to secure the flanges together, a bail upon said outer receptacle, a second independent bail upon the top of said inner receptacle, and an inner perforate top within said inner receptacle spaced below thefirst-mentioned top thereof and having the outer marginal portion thereof sloping outwardly downward to'form a frusto-conical portion secured to the interior of the bounding wall of said inner receptacle, and which includes having the inner receptacle of sufiicient cross-section and depth to present a very narrow space between the bounding wall thereof and the bounding wall of said outer receptacle and a similar narrow space between the flat bottoms of the two receptacles, a detachable closure for the opening in the first-mentioned top of said inner receptacle, a motor supported on said closure and a'downwardly extending impeller driven by said motor, said closure having an opening adapted to receive said downwardly-extending impeller.

KENNETH L. LUMPKIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are" of recordin the of patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 299,690 Sherwood June 3,1884 701,234 Van Hooz'er May 27, 1902 758,966 Hall May 3, 1904 1,834,329 Bolte Dec. 1, 1931 2,194,037 Thuma Mar. 18, 1938 2,297,843 Sharpnack Oct. 6, 1942 2,364,686 Balisteri et al; Dec. 12, 1944 

